Mr. Thornton turned to Cornelius, and said impatiently—
"Has the child grown an idiot? Why, there was twice as much spirit in her formerly."
I saw Cornelius redden; but he did not reply. My grandfather again turned to me, and said—
"Why are you here?"
"To learn, Sir."
"Was that what you were sent here for?"
I hung down my head without replying.
"I thought so," he muttered; "it seems, Mr. O'Reilly," he added, addressing Cornelius, "that though you were in such a precious hurry to get that child, you could not manage to keep her."
"I thought it for her good to be here, Sir," rather haughtily replied
Cornelius.
"It was not his fault," I said, eagerly, "indeed it was not."